---
title: "You are approaching a set of traffic lights w… | Theory Test"
description: "You are approaching a set of traffic lights which have been green for a while. What should you do? The correct answer is “Be prepared to stop”. Read the instr"
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[Theory test](/theory)/ [Question bank](/theory/questions)/ Alertness 

# You are approaching a set of traffic lights which have been green for a while. What should you do?

DVSA-style practice question · Alertness

## The answer options

-   Accelerate quickly 
-   Maintain your speed 
-   Brake sharply 
-   Be prepared to stop**Correct** 

## Why that is the answer

Traffic lights that have been green for a while are likely to change soon. You should ease off the accelerator and be prepared to stop safely if the amber light appears. Accelerating to beat the lights is dangerous and violates traffic rules, while braking sharply without cause risks a collision with vehicles behind. The Highway Code emphasizes anticipating hazards and maintaining control so you can stop safely if the signals change.

## How this comes up in the real test

Questions from alertness appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.

The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.

[Practise Alertness](/theory/quiz/alertness)[Sit a full mock test](/theory/mock-test)

## More alertness questions

-   [Before making a U-turn, what should you do?](/theory/questions/before-making-a-u-turn-what-should-you-do)
-   [Before slowing or stopping your vehicle, what is something you must do?](/theory/questions/before-slowing-or-stopping-your-vehicle-what-is-something-you-must-do)
-   [How can you make sure that a satellite navigation (satnav) system doesn’t distract you when you’re driving?](/theory/questions/how-can-you-make-sure-that-a-satellite-navigation-satnav-system-doesn-t-distract-you-when)
-   [How should you pass the cyclists?](/theory/questions/how-should-you-pass-the-cyclists)
-   [Something is hanging from your rearview mirror. Why might this pose a risk?](/theory/questions/something-is-hanging-from-your-rearview-mirror-why-might-this-pose-a-risk)
-   [The windscreen pillar is restricting your view when waiting to emerge from a junction. What should you be especially cautious of?](/theory/questions/the-windscreen-pillar-is-restricting-your-view-when-waiting-to-emerge-from-a-junction-what)

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